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Question about new rat biting?
Last Sunday I got a medium size rat from Petco (about 2 -4 months old) I was told two different things when getting him. One told me little to know handling for at least 5 days to pervert biting, while another said I should try to interact with him (a little pet or something) every few hours. I wasn't sure what to do, so I kind of went with my own idea on how to get him use to me.
First I put a cloth in his cage that I had rubbed on me to get my scent, I left him a lone for an hour or two and then every hour or so I would open his cage and make a little sound and offer him some carrot shreds. At first he wouldn't take it and was scared, so I left it in front of him and left him. By the next day he was taking them out of my hand and allowing me to give him a little pet on his back. By the next day I was able to pick him up (using the scooping method, I did a little research before getting him) and putting him on my bed. Before long he was crawling all over me, going into my shirt and hair and sitting the crook of my arm and letting me pet him. No biting what so ever.
This Friday I went to get him a friend since I was able to get a bigger cage. I went to the store I got Nekko, the first rat, and was planning to get a rat out of the cage he was already in, but I saw another one that was tan and white and so cute. He was a little bigger than Nekko, but not by much. They let me hold him first and he sat in the crook of my arm, just like Nekko. So I picked him.
When we got home I picked him out of his box and set him in his cage and had dinner. (about thirty minutes or so) then I took him and Nekko and put them in my mom's garden tub to meet. It went fine and they hit it off, so I let them go together in the same cage. They were playing and laying together and all was fine.
A hour or so later I opened their cage and went to pick up Remy, the new rat, to bring him out to run around with Nekko and he nipped the tip of my finger. He didn't break the skin and it didn't hurt. I realized then that I was handling him way to much for the first day and left him alone. Today I came to the cage and sat in front of it and was feeding Remy and Nekko carrote shreds, one at a time. I had fed them each probably ten when I put the carrot out for Remy (now note, I didn't stick my hand in the cage, because he had come out of their nesting box, it was right in front of the open door.) He came up to me, completely ignored the carrot between my two fingers and sniffed the knuckle and then bit it, hard, drawing blood.
Why did he do that when I wasn't going for him at all? Now I'm a bit scared of him, because I don't wanna be bit. I'm afraid of him even smelling me. Now all he does is sit on the top floor in the hammock. I put the cage on the floor and while Nekko will come out and run around then run back and so on, he just sits in there. What do I do? I'd greatly appreciate any tips. I don't want an aggressive rat or a biter.
I just now took the hammock out and rubbed it on me a little to get my scent, so he will be use to it since he is laying in it so much. Here's a photo of them and the cage.
I got a second rat, because I couldn't get two at once and everyone was going on how "cruel" it is to just have one rat unless you can spend almost all day with them. They said they need another to groom them and cuddle with, etc.
4 Answers
- lovemiceLv 78 years agoFavorite Answer
A rat know exactly how much pressure he is using with his teeth so when he wants to draw blood, he will. The first time Remy put his teeth on you he may have used his teeth to indicate he did not want to be bothered. The second time, however, was clearly an aggressive use of his teeth. It could be for a couple of reasons. If he was abused by a human he had previous contact with, he would have every reason to distrust humans. From what you described about him thus far, though, this does not seem likely. Another possibility is that he bit because you had the smell of Nekko on your hand. It can take time for introductions to be complete and the rats to form a solid bond. At this point the rats are still strangers to one another. Keep in mind Remy is very likely on edge and unsettled because his whole world changed and been turned upside down when he was rehomed. Even though he is in a much happier place than that tiny tank at the pet store, it was what he knew and now everything is strange to him including his human and companion. While I think you are approaching this situation correctly by interacting with him immediately, it does not alter the fact that he needs to adjust to the changed environment. A third possible reason for the biting is cage aggression. This is biting that occurs inside the cage in order to protect his territory from what he perceives as an intruder. It is not personal, but merely his way of defending his home. A forth possibility is that he has reached social maturity and his testosterone has kicked in. This typically occurs between 5 to 6 months old although some sites may say it begins a bit younger. There are some great rat sites such as JoinRats, RattyRat and RatBehavior with details on why a rat uses his teeth, working with biting rats, reasons for aggressive biting and social maturity/aggressive behavior. The article on working with biting rats describes what to look for in rat body language to help you determine how he acts prior to biting in order to prevent it. They also have videos which can be invaluable. JR also has many articles on trust training and bonding that you might find helpful and RB has a glossary on rat behavior that is interesting. Links follow:
http://www.joinrats.com/EarningTrust/RatsUsingTeet...
http://www.joinrats.com/BitingRats/interacting/101...
http://www.rattyrat.com/guidebook/biting.html
http://www.ratbehavior.org/Aggression.htm
http://www.joinrats.com/gallery/8004335_ppoPx
http://www.ratbehavior.org/Glossary.htm
Having been "accidentally bit by our Rat-A-Ma-Taz where blood was drawn, I do understand your hesitation in approaching your Remy. JR has information on making a Ratty Shuttle that may help for getting him out of the cage without handling him until he is ready to be picked up by you.
ADDENDUM: I messed up the link on working with biting rats, so am adding a link to the rat forum I use since I need to correct my mistake anyway. It might be worth checking for further advice:
A2: Sorry, it should read..."between 5 to 6 months old". I omitted the 5.
- Anonymous5 years ago
If a rat behaves in a friendly manner at the pet store or shelter you get it from (investigates your hand and doesn't bite it), then it's unlikely to bite later in life. Male rats can start to behave aggressively when they get to a certain age (some do, some don't, depends on the rat), but this can be fixed by neutering them. Rats in general are far less likely to bite than some rodents, like hamsters--they're very social animals, and become used to people quite easily. There are some problem ratties, but handling a rat at the pet store will give you a good idea of their temperament. And yes, given the proper care, they can make great pets :).
- babyitsyou31Lv 58 years ago
I'm not sure why you rushed to get a 2nd rat so soon.
I used to have a rat. Pokey. He would always think about it for a while before he gave me a good bite, too. I still don't know why he did it but he was a sweet little angel.
Maybe your new guy is still getting used to his environment. Maybe he needs some more digging or shredding jobs. Oh, they also love.. LOVE LOVE plain cooked spaghetti noodles. Nothing will win them over faster.
And don't be scared. Pick him up like you have been his parent forever and the bite never happened. Life is too short to be scared of your pets. He already forgot about it, you should also.
Good luck with your little men.
- Anonymous8 years ago
I recommend to leave him alone for a couple of days. It is very uncommon for a rat to bite.
